Thekmostatic valve



5 Sheets-Sheet l n w? m 5% a 22 w? I I? J@ THERMOSTATIC VALVE P. J. JORGENSEN El AL Original Filed Nov. 21, 1931 Dec. 14, 1937.

P. J. JORGENSEN El AL Re- 20,584

THBRMOSTATIC VALVE ,Original Filed Nov. 21, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Reissued Dec. 14, 1937 UNITED. STATES THERMOSTATIC VALVE Peter J. Jorgensen, deceased, late of Elmhurst, 111., by Clarence H. Jorgensen, administrator, Anderson, Ind., and Clarence H. Jorgensen,

Anderson, Ind.

Original No. 1,991,392, dated February 19, 1935,

Serial No. 576,526, November 21, 1931. Application for reissue April 13, 1935, Serial No.

17 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to temperature responsive control systems and is particularly concerned with the provision of a new and improved thermostatic valve especially useful in connection with controlling the cooling apparatus of an internal combustion engine or similar device but may be advantageously employed in any system having thermostatically controlled parts.

When internal combustion engines are used, particularly in cold weather, it is extremely desirable to have the engine warm up as-soon as possible in order that the lubricant will flow to the various surfaces in frictional contact and so that the fuel can be economically burned and as much power as possible be secured therefrom. This is especially true in the case of internal combustion engines for automotive vehicles and the like. Generally internal combustion engines are cooled by circulating water around the cylinders and passing the water through suitable radiators and the like for extracting the heat therefrom. While such cooling systems are necessary after the engine has become warmed up and is operating under power it is nevertheless true that such cooling systems normally tend to prevent the motor from initially warming up to operating temperature as quickly as would otherwise be the case.

Various attempts have been made to combine these two features, namely, a cooling system for keeping the temperature of internal combustion engines down during operation and means to prevent the cooling system from operating to cool the motor until it has initially reached the desired operating temperature. Generally such devices include a controlled restriction or valve shutting oil circulation through the cooling system until the engine has become sufficiently warm. As one example of such a construction which has been generally successful, reference may be had to the patent to Peter J. Jorgensen and Clarence H. Jorgensen, No. 1,745,622, dated February 4, 1930. In this case the valve controlling the operation of the cooling apparatus was itself controlled by temperature responsive means so that the cooling apparatus did not function as such until the temperature of the cooling liquid reached a certain desired amount. Thereupon the valve would be shifted to permit normal circulation of the cooling liquid andthe normal operation of the cooling apparatus as a whole. Where the cooling system employs a pump for forcing a circulation of the cooling medium the pump exerts a considerable pressure against the valve when closed so that when the valve is to be opened considerable static friction in the bearings of the valve must be overcome before the valve will be moved. At the point when the thermal element is beginning its opening movement, however, it can exert only limited power, and the above identified patent disclosed one means for securing a definite and accurate opening movement of the valve controlled by the relatively weak thermal responsive element by holding the valve closed until the thermal element can exert suflicient power to properly control the valve.

The present invention, therefore, is in the nature of an improvement upon such devices as those illustrated in the patent above identified. Particularly, the present invention has for its principal object the provision of a. temperature responsive control system for internal combustion engines in which a substantially balanced valve is employed and the temperature at which the valve opens to place the cooling apparatus into operation can be definitely ascertained and controlled. It is recognized that internal combustion motors operate best at comparatively high temperatures, but in prior control devices it was necessary to so design the appartus that the valve would open at a comparatively lower temperature than would otherwise be desirable in order to provide for situations in which the opening of the valve might be delayed for various reasons, such as excessive pump pressures and the like, in which case the motor would become overheated before the valve would open to permit the normal operation of the cooling system. The present invention provides an apparatus in which the temperature at which the valve opens can be quite definitely determined and controlled, hence the opening of the valve can be set so that the temperature of the motor can become materially higher than heretofore possible before the cooling circulation is established, yet without any danger of overheating the motor because the thermostatically controlled valve of the present invention can be relied upon to open practically exactly atthe temperature set.

Generally when the motor or other device gradually attains its proper temperature, particularly in cold weather, only a small amount of valve opening will suflice for a considerable time. If the valve were thrown wide open at this time its temperature would immediately fall below the desired point. Under these conditions, therefore, it is desirable to definitely and positively control the initial opening of the valve. By employing a substantially balanced valve in connection with a thermal element which is initially tensioned to hold the valve closed, desired positive control is secured, both by suitable adjustment of the tension and by the utilization of a slight but definite amount of overbalance in favor of valve opening modified by flow means tending to maintain the valve closed. The balanced valve preferably employed is comprised of a relatively thin flexible disc which is formed so that when closed serves to overcome the static friction in the bearings mentioned above and materially aids the thermal element in shifting the valve to the proper position.

It is also an important feature of the present invention to provide an improved construction whereby the temperature at which the valve. opens can be adjustedwithout involving any disturbance of any of the operating linkage or equivalent structure. Heretofore, adjustments have been attempted but generally such adjustments were secured through various means in which the linkage between the thermal responsive member and the valve was shortened or lengthened or otherwise shifted. When it is remembered that the range of movement of a temperature responsive element is rather small and that this movement must be multiplied it will be seen that any adjustment or rearrangement of this linkage is likely to throw the linkage in such a position that .the same willnot operate properly. This arises because of the relatively short lever arms which are generally employed to secure the proper multiplication. The present invention contemplates adjusting the end or portion of the temperature responsive element opposite that portion which operates the valve or a valve linkage. No adjustment of the linkage is attempted whatsoever and in this feature they attach considerable importance to the present invention.

Another feature of importance in the present invention is that a novel structure is provided for taking the reaction of the temperature responsive element which includes a yielding part. Should the temperature responsive element be subjected to such a temperature change that the corresponding change in the position thereof would otherwise distort or wreck the valve or the valve linkage, the yielding part or parts shift, thereby protecting the mechanism and limiting the force which the temperature responsive element can exert upon the valve or other control member. The construction of the present invention is so arranged, however, that after the causes producing the excessive temperatures have been removed the parts return to their normal position and no subsequent adjustment of any kind is required to bring the parts into proper relation. In this respect, therefore, the present device is entirely automatic and functions without any supervision whatsoever to protect the mechanism from excessive temperatures.

Another object of the present invention is the utilization of a fluid filled bellows as the thermal or temperature responsive element, in connection with a butterfly valve or any other valve of the substantially balanced type. It is old to employ fluid filled bellows as the thermal element in connection with poppet vaves and the like, but where these parts were disposed in cooling systemsemploying a pump as the circulating means it was necessary to provide a bellows of considerable diameter, specifically a diameter comparable to the diameter of the poppet, so that theforce of the hydrostatic pressure tending to open the valve would be approximately equal to the force on the bellows tending to hold the valve closed, or vice versa. If these areas were not about the same it was found that the poppet valve would tend to open under pump pressures. With the use, however, of a valve of the butterfly type,

that is, one which is substantiallybalanced, no great amount of'force is exerted by the pump tending to open the valve and hence a large bellows need not be employed. As pointed out above, however, it is frequently desirable to employ a butterfly valve which is slightly overbalanced in favor of opening and in this case where a bellows is employed as the thermal element, a relatively inexpensive bellows having a small diameter sufflces.,. Furthermore, by utilizing a butterfly type of valve the extent of movement of the bellows need be very little as compared with the extent of movement of the bellows connected with a poppet valve, since a poppet valve must be moved a considerable distance away from the opening it closes before a full flow may be had through the opening. On the other hand, by the use of a butterfly valve pivoted centrally in the conduit and by using a short lever arm the butterfly valve may be swung from open to closed position and vice versa by only a'smali movement of the beilows. As a' result, therefore, of the use of these particular elements a large relatively expensive bellows having many convolutlons is unnecessary, sincea small bellowssuflices in this construction, yet the forces are so balanced that the butterfly valve is definitely and positively controlled by the thermal element. y

These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art 1 after a consideration of the following detailed description of preferred structural details, taken in conjunction with the accompanying'drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view showing .the presentinvention as applied to the upper'connection between the radiator and the internal combustion engine of an automobile; v

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through their improved thermostatic valve and showing fragments of the associated radiator hose connections;

Figure 3 is a view taken at right angles to the section shown in Figure 2 and showing some parts in elevation and some parts in section;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 but illustrating the application of manual adjusting means for adjusting the device to increase or decrease the temperature at which the 8 which is a cross section through the device;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 5 and illustrating a slightly different form of reaction or abutment spring;

Figure 11 is a modified-form of thermostatic device which is similar to that shown in Figure 8 and which employs the adjustment feature there shown but without the yielding abutment; and

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a slightly diiferent form of fluid filled bellows type of thermostatic device.

Referring now more particularly: to the form the reference numeral.l indicates an internal combustion engine of conventional construction. When used in automobiles the engine i is provided with a cooling radiator 2 having connections 3 and 4 with the water jacket of the internal combustion engine I. Usually a pump, such as the one indicated by the reference numeral 5, is provided for circulating the water through the water jacket of the motor and to the cooling radiator 2, the pump drawing water from the bottom of the radiator and circulating the same through the water jacket of the motor I and forcing the same through the hose connection 4 to the top of the radiator 2. In some cases thermo-siphon circulation is relied upon and no pump is necessary. The present invention operates equally with either pump circulation or thermo-siphon circulation.

Their improved device shown in Figure 1 is preferably installed in the upper hose connection 4,- and comprises a casing in formed of two parts II and I2 suitably connected together in any desired manner. Each casing part includes a reduced end to receive the sections of the upper hose connection 4.

A cylindrical shell I5 is suitably mounted within the casing III, preferably axially thereof, and the shell l5 includes flanges 16 by which the shell may be securedin place. A control member or valve 20 of the balanced butterfly type is suitably pivoted within the shell l5, as by a trunnion 2| having the ends thereof received within bearings formed in substantially diametrically opposite portions of the shell I 5. Preferably, the valve body, which is in the form of a relatively thin flexible disc, is secured to the trunnion 2| by a pair of screws 23.

The control member or valve 20 is movable between open and closed positions, and as best shown in Figure 2 the valve is so dimensioned as to be disposed in an oblique position when closed and obstructing the flow of the cooling medium through the casing Ill. The valve 20 is so shaped however that there are approximately equal areas on opposite sides of the axis of its trunnion 2| although as will be explained later a slight unbalanced condition of the valve 20 is desirable in many cases. Nevertheless the butterfly valve is inherently or substantially balanced as compared to poppet valves and others. The valve 20 or the shell l5 or both are also so formed that there is a small clearance between one edge and the adjacent interior surface of the shell l5, even when the valve 20 is normally closed, as indicated in Figure 2 by the reference numeral 25. Not only does the small flow passing through the clearance set up forces aiding the temperature responsive element in maintaining the valve 20 closed until the desired temperature is reached, as pointed out in the patent above identified, but also the clearance 25 provides a construction in which the pressure of the pump tends to bend the flexible disc on both sides of the axis of the trunnion 2|. This flexing, which varies with pump pressure, causes a very small more or less continued movement of the trunnion which overcomes the static friction at this point. The greater the pump pressure the greater will be the static friction or bearing load on the trunnion but, at the same time, the greater and more positive will be the flexing, thus rendering the valve 20 much easier to control, as will be explained in detail later. Another advantage of having a thin disc is that there will be less likelihood of dirt and grit lodging between the valve and the shell IS.

A pair of brackets 21 and 28 are suitably secured to the flange l5 of the shell i5. As shown in Figure 3, these brackets 21 and 28 are separately formed and riveted to the shell l5, but it 'will be apparent that where desirable these brackets may be formed integrally with the shell l5. The brackets 21 and 28 are suitably spaced apart and have their outer ends apertured to receive an abutment member 30 therebetween. Preferably, the abutment member 30 is pivotally mounted upon the brackets 21 and 28. The abutment 3|! is suitably slotted to receive the tail end 3| of a temperature responsive coil 32, the outer end 34 of the te ture responsive element 32 being formed to receive a pivot pin 35 by which a link 36 is pivotally secured thereto at one end. The other end of the link 26 is pivoted to the valve 20 in any desired manner, as by a pivot pin 38 and a suitable bracket 40 carried by the valve 2|).

The position of the movable abutment member 30 is controlled by an arm which is rigidly secured to the member 3|! and which extends alongside the bracket 21, as best shown in Figure 3. The bracket 21 includes an ear 4! suitably bent to a position approximately at right angles to the plane of the bracket 21 and which is also apertured and threaded to receive an adjusting screw 48. As best shown in Figure 4, the adjusting screw 48 cooperates with the arm 45 to limit the movement thereof in one direction, namely, to the right in Figure 4 and upwardly in Figure 3.

The movement of the arm 45 in rection is yieldingly resisted by a spring 50 anchored to the other bracket 28, as at 5i, and guided and held in place by an arcuate angle bar 54. The purpose of the member 54 is to provide for the use of a relatively long spring and to hold the same in a position which will not interfere with the flow of the cooling medium through the casing Ii and the shell I5.

The operation of a device described above is substantially as follows. Initially, the temperature responsive coil 22, which may be formed of two dissimilar metal strips suitably secured together or the equivalent thereof, is tensioned to hold the valve 20 closed with a spring pressure at all temperatures below that at which it is desired that circulation be established through the radiator 2. Obviously, this may be accomplished by giving the arm 45 one or more turns in the proper direction after the end 34 of the the other ditemperature responsive element 32 has been link connected with the valve 20. The temperature responsive element 32 therefore exerts a force biasing the valve 2| to closed position. This force holding the valve 2!! closed is aided by the leak flow through the restricted opening 25 at one edge of the valve 28. The valve 20 is substantially balanced, that is, has substantially equal areas on opposite sides of its pivot axis, but in systems employing a circulating pump or the like the pressure on the valve bearings when the valve is closed may be considerable and where the thermal element has relatively small power the valve preferably is slightly pivoted oif center sufficient to give it a tendency to open under the pump pressure so as to aid the element in controlling the position of the valve, particularly where a small controlled flow with the valve held opened only a small amount suffices to maintain the motor at the desired temperature, which is a condition met with in cold-weather.

When closed there is considerable pressure exerted against the valve 2|] which gives rise to a substantial bearing friction which requires a substantial force to overcome in first shifting the valve. As best shown in Figure 2, the,left hand portion of the valve disc abuts against the wall; of the shell l5 while by virtue of the clearance 25 at the other side of the valve the hydrostatic:

pressureacting on the valve will tend to spring the valve disc-tightly against the shell and entirely close off the clearance opening. This-introduces a flexing of the valve...disczwhich occasions a minute but positive rotation, of the, trunnion 2| which serves to break the static, friction. The amount of flexing varies with the pump pressure which itself varies with the speed of the motor and, since the latter continually varies, the valve 2|) is maintained in what they term an active or floating condition.

The overbalance referred t6 above is however slight so that the initial tension of the thermal element is suiiicient to hold the valve 20 closed until the temperature has exceeded a given range. The constant but small movement of the valve 20 on its pivot overcomes static friction in the bearings and renders the valve subject to control by the relatively weak thermal element. It will thus be apparaent that the initial tension imparted to the coil 32 will determine very accurately at just what temperature the valve 20 begins to open. The greater the tension exerted by the coil 32 in holding the valve 20 closed at low temperatures the higher will be the temperature at which the valve 20 begins to open. Once the valve 20 has been opened against the hydrostatic pressure of the pump the pressure falls and bearing friction is immediately lowered, hence the valve 20 can be accurately controlled.

As a means for adjusting the tension of the thermal element .32 after the device has been assembled or after it has been installed, the arm and the adjusting screw 48 have been provided. The adjusting screw 48 acts as an abutment against which the initial tension in the temperature coil 32 can react to hold the valve closed. Referring to Figure 4, if the adjusting screw 48 is threaded farther into the car 41, thereby moving the arm 45 to the left, the pull of the temperature coil 32 in the valve closing direction will be increased and the valve 20 will be held closed with a greater force, thereby elevating the temperature at which the valve 20 will begin to open. In this way, the inherent resiliency of the temperature coil 32 is relied upon to hold the valve 20 closed until a given temperature has been reached. Obviously, other means may be provided for the same purpose, and generically the inherent resiliency of the temperature coil 32 is the equivalent of any means which counteracts or opposes the forces set up in the temperature responsive element by an increasing temperature. For example, where the temperature responsive element 32 is initially tensioned internal stresses are set up which must be counteracted by equal but opposite forces set up by the heating of the coil 32 before any movement whatsoever of the outer end 34 of the coil will occur. After this critical temperature has been reached the forces initially established are overcome and the forces due to the expansion of the temperature coil 32 will then be available to swing the valve 20 open. It will be apparent from the description, therefore, that separate spring means may be vided, if desired, to oppose the initial movement of the coil 32 in heating up to the critical temperature at which it is desired that the valve shall begin to open.

As described above, means are also provided for limiting the force which the temperature coil 32can exert upon the valve 20 ater the coil has been heated beyond the critical temperature referred to in the preceding paragraphs. This means is in theform of a yielding abutment so that when .the'coilil has been heated beyond the point wherethe-ivalve' 20' has been moved to its maximumposltion which is the position in which one side of the valve "strikes the outer end of the temperature coil 32, further expansion of the temperature coil 32 is' resisted only by the spring ill which acts to hold the arm 45 against the adlusting screw 48. Duringthese periods of excessive high temperature the spring yields to permit thearm 45 to swing away from the abutment 48, thereby; protecting the valve and associated parts. Since the spring 5 0 is comparatively long the temperature coil 32 can be subjected to exceedingly high temperature without damaging any of the parts of their device. As a matter of fact, spring means much shorter than that indicated by the reference numeral 50 may be successfully employed.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a construction which is identical with that shown in Figures 2 and 3 with the exception that where the adjusting scraw 48 must be adjusted before the device is assembled within the casing H, the form shown in Figures 5 and 6 employs an adjusting means which is accessible from without the casing. This is an important feature in that it is frequently desirable to adjust their thermostatic valve structure for different driving conditions. For example, the temperature at which the valve 20 is open should be lower during the winter months than during the summer months, not only to prevent boiling out any of the anti-freeze solutions which may be applied,,such as alcohol and the like, but also to provide for a somewhat greater flow of cooling medium since it is well known that such substances as alcohol, glycerine and the like are less eflicient as cooling mediums than water. By having the adjustment accessible from without the casing different driving conditions may thus be provided for. Such adjustment may be manual or may itself be thermostatically effected.

In the form shown in Figures 5 and 6, the ear 4! and the adjusting screw 48 on the bracket 21, as shown in Figure 3, have been dispensed with. Instead, the pivoted abutment member 30 is provided with a curved arm one end of which is fixedly secured to the member 30, as by a tongue 6| seated in a slot formed in the member 30 and in which the inner end 3| of the temperature responsive coil is received. This is the same construction by which the arm 45 shown in Figure 3 is fixedly secured to the member 30. The other end of the curved arm 60 is provided with a fiat portion 64 which is arranged underneath a long threaded adjusting screw 65 threaded through a bushing 66 carried by the casing part II, as best shown in Figure 5. Tightening or loosening the adjusting screw 65 swings the arm fill to increase or decrease the tension exerted by the temperature responsive coil 32 tending to hold the valve 20 closed. By virtue of the curbed a-rm member the threaded adjusting screw 65 can be positioned in the center of the casing H, but obviously this is not absolutely necessary and the adjusting screw 65 can be positioned to one side of the central plane and cooperate with a straight arm such as 45.

Figures 7, 8, and 9 illustrate a construction embodying a fluid filled extensible bellows as the temperature responsive element rather than a As best shown in Figure 'I, the thermostatic valve is located between the engine block and the upper radiator connection 4 and includes a flanged housing I8 suitably secured as by cap screws II and provided with a clamping ring 12. Between the ring I2 and the housing 18 the casing 15 of the bellows type of temperature responsive device is secured. The casing or shell 18 is of generally cylindrical formation and includes a flange portion I8 adapted to be received between the clamping ring I2 and the housing III, the casing I8 thus being directly connected with the motor end of the upper radiator connection, as best shown in Figure '7. A pivoted relatively flexible valve 18 is swingably mounted within the shell I5 and is adapted to control the flow of cooling medium through the shell IS in the same manner that the valve 28 described above operates. A trunnion I9 is provided for the valve I8 and is identical, for all practical purposes, with the trunnion 2| illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. A restricted opening, indicated by the reference numeral 88, is provided to allow for flexing under pressure variations, as described above. The valve I8, like the valve 28, may if desired be given a slight overbalance for the purpose of utilizing the pump pressure to aid the opening of the valve against the static friction of the joints and bearings.

The shell 15 is provided with a bracket 88 which is bifurcated as best shown in Figure 9. This bracket is formed to receive a pivot pin 84 by which a lever '86 is fulcrumed on the shell or casing I5. One end of the lever 88 is bifurcated to receive a pivot pin 88 and a link 89, the other end of the latter being pivotally connected with a bracket 9| secured to the valve 18 and which is similar to the bracket 48 shown in Figures 2 and 3. The other end of the lever 88 is connected with one end of the expansible bellows 94 and the bellows 94 carries a stud 95 at one end which is provided with a pair of ears 86 which are apertured to receive a pivot pin 91 by which the lever 88 is operativelyconnected with the bellows 94.

The other end of the bellows is provided with a threaded stem I88 which projects through a suitably formed opening in a second bracket I82 carried by the shell I5. A pair of lock nuts I84 serves, in connection with a washer I85, as a fixed abutment on the stem I88. A spring I88 is interposed between the washer I85 and the bracket I82, and this spring is adapted to yield when the bellows 94- is subjected to abnormally high temperatures, just as the spring 58 is arranged to yield in the constructions illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6.

An adjusting nut H8 is threaded onto the.

outer end of the stem Ill and this member cooperates with the bracket I82 to initially tension the temperature responsive bellows 94 to hold the valve I8 closed until a predetermined temperature has been attained, just as the adjusting screw 48 and the adjusting screw 85 adjust the tension of the temperature responsive coil 92 described above.

While Figure 8 shows an adjusting member III in the form of a nut it is obviously possible to extend the member IIII to a point outside the housing I8 in which case the temperature at which the thermal responsive member 94 becomes active to open the valve I8 can be easily adjusted after the device has been installed.

The expansible bellows 94 is preferably filled with a fluid such as alcohol under vacuum so that the vapor pressure of the fluid in the bellows constitutes the material responsive to changes in temperature which causes the bellows to expand and contract with such changes. The provision of the bellows 94 on the upstream s de of the valve I8 positions the former so as to be subjected to the pump pressure which therefore acts to positively hold the valve closed at all temperatures below that at which the vapor pressure of the contained alcohol is greater than is developed by the pump. In addition, of course, atmospheric pressure also acts on the bellows to aid in maintaining the valve I8 closed. Where in the previously described modification the inherent resiliency of the temperature coil was relied upon to hold the valve closed at low temperatures, the thermal responsive member 94 utilizes atmospheric pressure and hydrostatic pressure for holding the valve I8 closed.

In automobile motors the hydrostatic head at the valve due to the operation of the pump may vary as much as from five to fifty pounds. Such variations introduce corresponding variations in the bearing loads imposed on the trunnion of the valve, and even where the valve I8 is slightly overbalanced in favor of opening so that with a sudden increase in speed of the motor, which increases the pressure against the valve 18, there is a greater increase of the force tending to open the valve, yet the corresponding increase in bearing friction at the same time holds the valve closed. However, where the valve I8 is arranged to flex, which is preferable, as in the case of valve 28 of Figure 2, the static friction of the bearings may be overcome to such an extent that a sudden increase in pressure may open the valve. By providing an expansible bellows these variations are, in effect, compensated since the same variations of pressure on the pivoted valve are exactly the same variations to which the bellows or temperature responsive element is itself subjected. Hence, in their construction if there is an increase of pressure on the valve tending to open it there is also a corresponding increase in the pressure on the bellows tending to hold the valve closed. These variations of pressure are, of course, still available to free the valve 18 of static friction and maintain the same active. The thermal responsive element although capable of exerting only a limited force is nevertheless operative to bring the pivoted valve to just the right position to permit the proper flow of the cooling medium.

Since the adjusting member II8 serves to increase or decrease the volume of the bellows 94 it serves to thereby raise or lower the temperature at which the expansion of the thermal fluid begins to act to open the valve under the influence of temperature changes. The member H8 also serves to vary the efiectiveness of the hydrostatic pressure in the casing in holding the valve 18 closed.

The spring I88 acts as a yielding abutment to permit excessive expansion of the bellows 94 under abnormal temperature conditions from damaging any of the operating parts. When the bellows 94 has expanded suiliciently to cause the lever 86 to swing the valve I8 until the latter strikes the bellows any further expansion of the latter will then react against the spring I86 and cause the same to yield, the stem I88 merely shifting in the bracket I82 to the right as viewed in Figure 8.

The modification illustrated in Figure 10 shows a difl'erent form of reaction spring than is shown at 60 in Figures 2, 4 and 5. In these flgures the spring 60 while providing a suitable yielding abutment is such as to limit the swinging oi the arm 46 under excessive temperatures to an angle considerably less than one complete revolution. This limitation does not exist in the structure shown in Figure 10 in which the abutment member or shaft 30, journaled in brackets 21 and 20, is provided with a coil spring I20 having its inner end I2 I received within the same slot 62 as the one shown in Figures 2 and 6 as receiving the inner end of the temperature responsive coil 32. The outer end or the reaction spring I20 is received by an adjustable stop I23. The stop I23 is provided with a slot I26, and a screw I25 is received by this slot and is threaded into the bracket 23 to adjustably secure the stop member I23 in place. The purpose of the stop member is to adjust the tension capable of being exerted by the spring I20 and also to provide for certain manufacturing tolerances in which the inner and outer ends I2I and I26 01' the spring I20 may not always occupy exactly the same angular relation.

In this form, as in the forms shown in Figures 2 and 5, when the thermal responsive member 32 is subjected to excessive temperatures and expands to an extent suiflcient'to swing the valve 20 against the thermal element any further expansion of this element reacts through the pivoted abutment 30 against the spring I20. When this spring is a coil spring, as shown in Figure 10, the temperature coil may withstand such high temperatures as would cause the same to unwind to rotate the member 30 one or more revolutions without occasioning any damage to the reaction spring I20 or other associated parts. The spring 50 is not adapted to take care of such excessive temperatures and, as a matter of fact, they rarely occur.

Figure 11 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention similar to that illustrated in Figure 8 but which dispenses with the yielding abutment provided by the spring I06 in Figure 8. In the case of Figure 11, the stern I is threaded into an adjusting sleeve I30 which is provided with a polygonal head I33 securely fastened thereto. Preferably the sleeve I30 is provided with a reduced end I35 receiving the head I33. Rotation of the head I33 serves to rotate the sleeve I30 and hence serves to adjust the tension exerted by the bellows 94 on the pivoted valve 18 at low temperatures. If desired, a lock nut I36 may be provided to lock the adjusting sleeve I30 in proper position. In the form shown in Figure 11, as well as in Figure 8, the adjustment may be carried to the outside of the casing or housing I0 in which case the thermostat device can be readily adjusted after the same has been installed.

Figure 11 also illustrates the use of a relatively small bellows in connection with a substantially balanced valve of the pivoted butterfly type. While, in Figures 8 and 9, for purposes of clarity, the bellows 94 is shown as being of substantial diameter, such a large bellows is not essential and a much smaller and more inexpensive one may be employed as illustrated in Figure 11. In utilizing a bellows of small diameter the same may be formed of one piece. The use of a small bellows is possible only in situations where the valve controlled thereby is of the pivoted substantially balanced type. Theoretically, the slight amount of overbalance, that is, the excess area on one side of the pivot I3, multiplied by the eflective lever arm thereof and by the mechanical advantage of the lever 06 should approximately equal the area of one end of the bellows 66'. As explained above, the overbalance oi thebutterfly valve I0 is very slight, and hence a relatively small bellows sufllces in a construction employing a pivoted butterfly valve and a thermal element in the form of a bellows. Figures 12 and 13 also illustrate the use of a bellows of relatively small inexpensive form.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a fluid fllled bellows type oi. thermostatic device in which the bellows is arranged to exert a valve opening and closing force longitudinally of the surrounding casing. In the case of Figures 12 and 13 the same casing I0 comprising parts II and I2 are employed as in the modifications illustrated in Figures 2 and 5. The shell I and the pivoted butterfly valve are also the same as is illustrated in Figures 1 2 and 5. In this case, however, the shell I5 supports a U-shaped strap or bracket I56 riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the shell, and a relatively small bellows I5I is supported by the somewhat enlarged intermediate portion I53 of the bracket I50. The bellows I5I in this case is arranged in a transverse plane and the base is secured in any desired manner, as by sweating, to the enlarged portion I53.

The movable endoi the bellows I5I carries a suitable threaded cap I55 in which is received one end of an adjusting screw I51. The other end of the adjusting screw is provided with a head I56 which is provided with a threaded recess receiving the threaded end of an eye bolt I60 pivotally supported, as by a pivot pin I6I on a lever I63. The adjusting screw I51 and the associated parts are provided with right and left hand threads so that rotation oi. the adjusting screw I61 in one direction will increase the eflective length of the connection between the bellows IN and the lever I63 while rotation of the adjusting screw in the other direction will decrease the effective length of these parts.

The lever I63 is pivoted for movement about a fulcrum carried by the shell I5 and the strap I50. The fulcrum comprises a bracket I65 secured to the flange portion I6 01' the shell I 5 and provided with a reenforcing strut I66 riveted or otherwise secured to the bracket I50. The bracket I65 receives a pivot pin I66 by which the lever I 63 Is pivoted thereto. The other end of the lever I63 is pivoted to the link 36 so that expansion and contraction of the bellows I5I due to the action of the contained fluid under temperature changes will swing the lever I63 to open and close the valve 20.

As in the case of the construction illustrated in Figures 2 and 5, the valve 20 is formed of thin flexible stock and is shaped to provide a clearance opening to permit of some circulation of the cooling medium past the valve 20 when the latter is closed under low pressure and to provide for flexing 01' the valve under pressure changes to overcome static friction. Preferably, the valve 20 is slightly overbalanced in favor of opening so that the pressure of the cooling medium when the valve is closed tends to open the same. This tendency is opposed, however, by virtue of the hydrostatic pressure on the bellows III which tends to contract the same and thus hold the valve closed as explained above in connection with Figures 8 and 11. This is also aided by the flow through the clearance opening 26.

When the cooling medium has reached a temperature in which the contained fluid 'expands with a force somewhat greater than the hydrostatic pressure'the bellows, aided by the opening pressure .on the valve III, is then operative to controllably swing the valve 20 about its pivotal support 2i and thus control the flow of cooling medium to the system.

While they have shown and described the preferred constructional details in which the presont invention is preferablyembodied it will be apparent that their invention is not to be limited to the specific means shown and described but that widelyditierent means may'be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of their invention, as defined by the appended claims.

What they claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A temperature responsive control system comprising a movable valve, a temperature responsive element having one end connected with the valve to move the same in response to temperature changes, yielding means fixing the other casing, a valve movably supported by said shell and adapted to control the flow of fluid through said casing, a temperature responsive element disposed within said casing on the upstream side of said valve and having one end link-connected with said valve to open and close the same, a. movable member within said casing and to which the other end of said temperature responsive element is fixed, a threaded adjusting screw carried by said casing and accessible from without the casing, said adjustingscrew cooperating with said movable member and serving as an adjustable abutment therefor to control the temperature at which said temperature responsive element becomes active, said movable member being movable away from said abutment, and yielding means urging said member towards said abutment with an efiective force in excess 01' the reaction on the yielding means upon the initial ac tuation of the valve.

3. A temperature responsive control system comprising a casing adapted to conduct fluid flow thcrethrough, a shell disposed within said casing, valve movably supported by said shell and adapted to control the flow of fluid through said bracket.

4. In combination with a conduit for fluid flow, a flow controlling valve therein having limiting open and closed positions, thermal means for controlling the valve, said thermal means comprising a closed expansion bellows having fluid therein under vacuumat low operating temperatures and under pressure at high operating temperatures whereby the ends of the bellows are drawn towards one another to positively hold said valve in its closed position at the lower operating temperature s and pushed apart to open said valve at the higher operating temperatures, a stop towards which one end of the bellows is forced when the pull ofthe bellows is in a direction to close said valve and from which it is forced when the pull is in the opposite direction, and spring means urging said one end of thebellows towards said stop,

said end of the bellows being movable away from the stop against the action of .the spring means, at the higher'temperatures.

5. K temperature responsive control system comprising a casing adapted to conduct fluid flow: a shell disposed within said casing and provided with a movable valve for controlling the flow through said casing, bracket means carried by said shell, a temperature responsive means having one end connected with said valve, a member rotatably supported by said bracket means, the other end of said temperature responsive means being fixedly connected with said rotatable member and being adjusted with respect to said bracket means by rotation of said member, and manually controlled means fixing said rotatable member against rotation, at least during normal opwithin said conduit for fixing the other end of said temperature responsiveelement, and means separate from said shiftable member and extending from inside said conduit to a point outside the conduit and acting against said member on the inside of the conduit for shifting said member without disturbing the relation between said one end of the temperature responsive element and the valve to control the temperature at which said valve will be shifted.

'l. A temperature responsive control system comprising a casing adapted to conduct fluid fiow, a member disposed within said casing and provided with movable valve means for controlling the flow through said casing, spaced brackets secured to said member, a temperature responsive means having one end connected with said valve means, a movable member carried by said brackets, the other end of said temperature responsive means being fixed to said movable member, an arm fixedly secured to said movable member, and manually operable means carried by said casing and abutting against said arm for shifting the position of said movable member whereby to control the temperature at which said temperature responsive member becomes active to shift said valve-means, said arm being movable away from engagement with said manual means by the action of thetemperature responsive means under high temperature conditions.

8. A temperature responsive control system for a casing adapted to conduct fluid flow, comprising a supporting structure disposed across said casing on the interior thereof and provided with a movable valve carried thereby for controlling the flow through said casing, bracket means secured to said supporting structure, a temperature responsive member disposed in the path of movement of the fiuid and having one end connected erable member supported in adjustable relation with respect to said bracket means and operatively connected'with the other end oi said temperature responsive member to control the temperature at which said temperature responsive means becomes active to shift said valve.

9. A temperature responsive control system comprising a casing adapted to conduct fluid flow therethrough, means serving as a supporting member disposed within said casing and accommodating said flow, valve means movably supported by said member and adapted to control the'flow of fluid therethrough, said valve means being limited in one position by contact withsaid supporting means, a temperature responsive element disposed within said casing on the upstream side of said valve means and having one end connected with said valve to move the same away from said position, a movable member within said casing connected with said temperature responsive element and operative by its position to control the temperature at which said element begins to open the valve means, and adjusting means carrried by and reacting against said casing and engageable with said movable member togovern the position of the latter.

10. A temperature responsive .control system comprising a casing, supporting bracket means including laterally spaced sections disposed therein, valve means movably mounted in said casing to control the flow therethrough, a temperature responsive element carried by said bracket means between said sections and connected with said valve, and means for adjusting the responsiveness of said temperature responsive element including a member movably carried on one of said bracket sections and operatively connected with said element.

11'. A temperature responsive control system comprising a casing, valve means movably supported within said casing to control the flow therethrough, temperature responsive means disposed within said casing in contact with the fluid therein and spaced from said valve means on the upstream side thereof and tensioned by temperature changes of said fluid to act against and shift said valve means, and adjusting means extending to a" point outside said casing and reacting thereagainst and against said temperature responsive means to govern the eiIective tension exerted-thereby against said valve means so as to control the temperature-at which the valve means begins to open.

12. A temperature responsive control system comprising a casing, valve means movably supported within said casing to control the flow therethrough, a temperature responsive element disposed within said casing in contact with the fluid therein and spaced from said valve means on the upstream side thereof, one end of said element being connected with said valve means, and adjusting means extending to a point outside said casing and reacting thereagainst and connected with the other end of said temperature responsive element to govern the temperature at which said element begins to open said valve means. I

13. In a'mechanism for controlling the flow of a fluid, a valve seat through which fluid is adapted to flow, a valve which is adapted to control the flow fluid through the valve seat, a thermosensitive element of the bellows type whose axis at the other end to the valve.

can

I to one 01' the conduit sections, 'a thermo-sensitive element for operating the valve carried by the tubular element and located without the tubular element and the last mentioned conduit section. and a tubular element which houses the thermosensitive element and is connected at its opposite ends to the first-mentioned tubular element and to the other of the conduit sections.

15. A temperature responsive control system comprising a casing adapted to conduct fluid flow therethrough, means serving as a shell disposed within said casing and accommodating said flow,

valve means movably supported by said shell and adapted to control the flow of fluid therethrough, saidvalve means being limited in one position by contact with said shell, 9. temperature responsive element disposed within said casing on the upstream side of said valve means and having one end connected with said valve to move the same away from said position, and adjustable means disposed within said casing and. connected with the other end of said temperature responsive ele-' ment so as to control the temperature at which" said element becomes active to shift said valve means.

16. In a mechanism for controlling the flow 01' a fluid, a valve seat through which fluid is adapted to flow, a valve which is adapted to control the flow of fluid through the valve seat, a thermosensitive element of the bellows type whose axis is disposed at approximatelya right angle to the iongitudinal axis of the mechanism, a bracket which is disposed entirely on one side oi. the longitudinal axis of the valve seat, means rotatably carried by said bracket for receiving one end of the bellows element and capable of adjusting the position of the latter relative to the bracket, and a lever fulcrumed on the valve seat and connected to the valve and to the otherhead oi the bellows element so as to prevent the latter from turning when said adjusting means is operated.

17. In a thermostatic valveunit, a tubular element through which fluid is adapted to flow, a

valve which is located within and pivotaliy connected to the tubular element. a thermo-sensitive element of the bellows type whose axis is disposed at approximately a right angle to the axis 01' the tubular element, an annular element which constitutes a supporting flange carried by the tubular element, an arm which is integral with the tubular element disposed entirely on one side oi the longitudinal axis of the tubular element and connected to one of the heads of the thermo-sensitive element; and a lever iulcrumed on the tubularelement and connected near one end to the other head of the thermo-sensitive element and CLARENCE H. JORGENSEN, Administrator 0/ the Estate of Peter J. Jorgensen,

Deceased.

CLARENCE H. JORGENSEN. 

